I really love these DC Universe animated movies. They excel for me in telling some of the top DC story-lines without the viewer having to invest in years of comic mythology to understand them. Recently they have taken an approach similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and have began adapting stories from their New 52 era. Batman vs Robin, is the 4th film in this new continuity and sequel to the film Son of Batman.

Son of Batman introduced the character of Damien Wayne. Bruce’s son with Talia, the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul. At the end of that film, the young Wayne goes to live and fight alongside his father. While Son of Batman had good action throughout, it was slightly boring at times.

This one? A much better effort. Like all the other films there is no shortage of action, but there is decent amount of character work in this as well.

Batman vs Robin picks up with Bruce and Damien patrolling Gotham. Everything is not well with the two however, Bruce has not yet publicly cliaimed his son. Meanwhile Damien feels that Bruce does not trust him. A chance encounter with a character named Talon leads both father and son to the Court of Owls, something Bruce knew as an urban legend from his childhood.

There is some great character moments in this film that are worth taking note of. First is we get to see that despite Damien’s arrogance and at times bloodthirsty nature, this due to his training by Ra’s al Ghul, that he is still a child like any other. He wants his father’s approval. He wants to be trusted. He doesn’t want his father to think the worst of him. He doesn’t say it, but all his actions indicate this. Bruce on the other hand, is a man not ready to be a father, plain and simple. Gotham is his child and his closest relationship is still with Alfred. You can see that even with Dick Grayson, now Nightwing, that Bruce still hasn’t totally opened up.

The animation in this is top notch as expected from this line of DC film. The action is very fluid and at times pretty visceral. Most noticeably in the fight scenes. Bruce has a more acrobatic and somewhat majestic fighting style when compared to the roughness of his son’s.

Another quality entry into the DC animated canon. Better than Son of Batman, you get the same quality stories, great action and animation and very good character drama and interaction between a father and son finding their place in each other’s lives.

When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it’s up to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.

“Avengers: Age of Ultron”

Directed by JOSS WHEDON

By Eric

It’s here at last! The latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings back the team that broke all sorts of box office records back in 2012.

Joss Whedon is back at the helm and while Age of Ultron is great fun and a blast just like last time, I do have a few things to nitpick.

The film begins with a great action sequence of the Avengers in the middle of a mission. Once completed Tony Stark, along with Bruce Banner, work without the team knowing on Ultron, a peacekeeping initiative. Stark wants Ultron to protect the world from the threats that may be even too big for the Avengers. Since the movie would be over if it worked, it doesn’t. Ultron is brought to life and begins his plan for world wide extinction of humanity.

My breakdown –

Ultron:

Ultron, voiced by Actor James Spader

Ultron is brought to menacingly, charismatic life by James Spader. Being mechanical, Ultron’s mannerisms remind you of his creator, Tony Stark. Spader was perfectly cast for this role

Action Scenes:

As in the first film, the action leaps off the screen as if it’s a living comic book. I did miss the brighter cinematography of the original film however. This could have made things pop a little more. But it’s a small complaint. My biggest issue was with the editing of the scenes. As things got more intense, it felt harder for me to follow along the action. Yet what I did see, was amazing.

Hulkbuster:

“Hulkbuster” One guess who’s in THAT armor?

Live action Hulkbuster? What else is there to say? I just wish I hadn’t seen in a million and one commercials and trailers first. That would have been a great surprise.

Supporting characters:

I absolutely loved the amount of time we got to spend with the supporting cast. Black Widow is still a fan favorite, especially with her blooming romance with Bruce Banner. We meet the twins Wanda and Pietro, or Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.

…and the rest

Most of all we get to see more of Hawkeye, who we didn’t get much time with last go round. Even during the final battle we get to see Clint Barton in a brief moment of leadership. Plus we’re treated to a friendly rivalry between him and Quicksilver. I actually enjoyed the supporting cast more than the main core.

I had a few other small issues. Nothing that I felt broke the film, just minor things for me. One thing was this film set up things to come even more so than others in the MCU. It felt a tad bit heavy handed towards the end. Again I liked the brighter cinematography of the last film, and I also felt that the action could be edited a bit quickly.

In addition I missed Alan Silvestri scoring the film. Even though we hear the main Avengers theme, I wished there was something memorable to the score of this one. Danny Elfman does a fine job, but nothing stands out here.

All in all, Avengers: Age of Ultron is exactly what you expect. It does not disappoint there.